November eNews: Our MAPS Involvement, Family Medicine Summit 2024 and Other Upcoming Events

November 2023 | eNews

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear ACFP Members:

The Alberta College of Family Physicians believes that every Albertan deserves to have access to a family physician and a primary care team. To do that, Alberta Health needs to fund the expansion of family practice teams at the point of care including more appropriate funding for family physicians and other members of the team that will incentivize optimal team-based care. We will continue to be steadfast in our advocacy efforts for this and in our support for the Alberta Medical Association's efforts to build a new compensation model for longitudinal comprehensive care.

The government's messaging about the new funding model for Alberta’s nurse practitioners (NPs) has resulted in a misunderstanding regarding the value and contribution of family physicians in primary care. We are supportive of complementary team members working to their full practice scopes to optimize care in a medical home or health neighbourhood. The new funding model offers more resources to our destabilized primary care system and the opportunity for Alberta’s nurse practitioners (NPs) to improve timely access to a primary care provider for all Albertans. Please trust that we are working hard to ensure the approach is founded on collaboration and not substitution...

TOP STORIES

Be Part of Our Largest Conference - Family Medicine Summit 2024

The ACFP invites you to join its preeminent conference at the Rimrock Resort Hotel in Banff on March 1-3, 2024. The Family Medicine Summit 2024 will offer both in-person and virtual experiences on relevant CPD topics and feature a premier line up of keynotes including Drs. Rick Glazier, Gabor Maté, and Simon Moore, among others.

For program updates, visit www.familymedicinesummit.ca.

FFYFP Blog - CME for You and Me

By Dr. Tyler Hunter

Now that you have left academic half days behind in residency, obtaining CME can be another burden on your already busy schedule. The minimum CME requirements set by the CFPC are...

2024 ACFP Research Showcase – Call for Abstracts Closing Soon!

The ACFP proudly hosts the Research Showcase at the annual Family Medicine Summit in March. This unique event continues to be one of the most valued opportunities for family medicine and primary care researchers in Alberta to present and share their projects. The call for research abstracts is ongoing and the deadline for submission is November 29th.

MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS

ACFP's Thursday Evening Webinar Series Continues:

“Preventing Physician Burnout With Financial Literacy"

7:00 p.m. (MT), December 7

Learn how to enumerate common financial mistakes and design a strategy toward financial wellness from family physician/podcast creator Dr. Vu Kiet Tran.

Join Our Online Community and Get Connected

ACFP Networks provides a safe and secure online space, not only for ACFP members but also for primary care providers to build communities of practice. It's easy to get started. Simply sign up and start exploring new connections and opportunities.

U of A FMIG Invitation: +1 Specialty Physicians Needed

January 10 | "Plus One and Career Options in Family Medicine Mix & Mingle"

The University of Alberta Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) is hosting a special event for medical students interested in family medicine early in the new year. It is currently looking for volunteers from different +1 specialties to take part in this intimate mixer.

For those interested in supporting the event, please email shadowing@acfp.ca and ACFP will connect you with these young family medicine enthusiasts!

WHAT'S NEW IN HEALTH CARE

Access to Enhanced Lipid Reporting - Now Province-Wide

Enhanced Lipid Reporting (ELR) is a new lab-based approach to calculate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and ensure those at risk receive guideline-directed treatment. Visit the ELR website for provider supports such as Statin Myths, Physician Perspective video, etc.

Reminder: Take Action to Receive Timely Results

As all lab and DI sites and services in AHS are now using Connect Care, please ensure that all pertinent information is included on lab, microbiology, pathology, and imaging requisitions in order to receive results without delay.

Using Antibiotics Wisely for Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs)

Choosing Wisely Canada provides guidance on the use of antibiotics for the management of RTIs. Find clinical tools to support the management of these illnesses during the cold and flu season in the Cold Standard toolkit linked above.

Canadian Ophthalmological Society - Elmiron Update

Patients who take Elmiron (pentosan Polysulfate sodium) for cystitis for many years are found to have a greater than 40% risk of retinal toxicity with vision loss within 10 years. The retina subspecialists of Alberta are working to create a screening program for all patients on Elmiron. Currently there are 591 such patients in Alberta.

Alberta College of Family Physicians | www.acfp.ca